The Parish Churches of Ranworth with Panxworth,
South Walsham, Upton and Woodbastwick

Saints Fabian and Sebastian, Woodbastwick

These two saints are buried in one basilica in the catacombs and they
share the joint patronage of Woodbastwick Church, the only Anglican Church
in England with this dedication.

Sebastian is thought to have joined the Roman army in about 283 AD and
carried out many acts of love and charity. In 286, when his Christianity
was finally discovered he was sentenced to death by the Emperor Diocletian
and shot by his own archers. His wounds healed but he was finally stoned
to death. Stories of Sebastian have inspired great works of art portraying
him as a youth pierced by arrows. A copy of The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
(1475) by the Pollaiuolo brothers, hangs in Woodbastwick Church. In Medieval
times, Sebastian's help was sought against plague, the sores reminding
people of the arrow wounds in Saint Sebastian's flesh. Renowned for endurance,
he is the patron saint of athletes and soldiers.

Saint Fabian (236 - 250 AD) is said to have been a farmer visiting Rome
on the day that a Pope was to be elected. A dove settled on his head and
this was taken by the crowd as a sign through the Holy Spirit that he was
worthy of election. The Holy Church of Rome enjoyed a period of relative
peace and flourished under the reign of Fabian who is recorded as a maker
of many rules and regulations. The tolerant Emperor Philip died in 249
and was succeeded by Decius, a ruthless enemy of Christianity. Christians
were ordered to deny Christ or face torture and death but many, including
Fabian, refused and were martyred for their faith.